PLANS to open a further controversial bail house in Middlesbrough have been scrapped.

Two Bail Assisted Support Scheme (BASS) half-way homes - designed for low-risk offenders - were opened last year amid outcry from some councillors and local residents over lack of consultation.

The property management group ClearSprings, working in tandem with the Ministry of Justice, opened two BASS homes in Oxford Road and Ayresome Park Road and had planned to go ahead with a third in August last year.

But Barry Coppinger, Middlesbrough council executive councillor for public safety, said the plan had now been shelved.

He said: “Six months ago what happened was not appropriate.

“We had an approach from ClearSprings that said they were looking at opening further properties in Middlesbrough. We had meetings at regional level and I said it was unfair we should have a third when there were other available suitable properties elsewhere.”

He added: “At local level we have a reasonable relationship with ClearSprings and in principle we support the government’s BASS scheme.”

The scheme, first launched in June 2007, caters for low-risk people including those on remand, those nearing the end of a prison sentence, those who are eligible to be released on Home Detention Curfew - electronically tagged - and those who would normally be free to walk from court if they had suitable accommodation.

It excludes sex offenders and those convicted of crimes against children or racially aggravated offences.

About 150 homes are planned across the country. There are also two bail homes in Thornaby.